Donna "Pulley" Smith

Donna Lee Pulley Smith, 75, of Springfield, TN passed on to eternal life with Jesus Christ on Monday, July 7, 2025, at her home. She spent her final weeks enjoying many visits from loved ones after suffering a heart attack on May 30th.

Donna was born December 16, 1949, in Springfield, TN to the late Howard David and Nell Posey Fletcher Pulley. She grew up in the Neely's Bend area of Madison before settling in the Barren Plains community of Robertson County.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her three brothers: Howard David Pulley, Jr., John William Pulley, and Don Henderson Pulley, as well as her husband of 25 years, Barry E. Smith, originally from Virginia and lovingly known as "Pa" to his family.

Donna is survived by her sons: David Chad (Angie) Shelton of Greenbrier and Bryan Bayard (Kendra) Shelton of Springfield; by her stepsons: Jeff Smith and Clay (Sheila) Smith of Portland; by her sister: Cindy (Harold) Joyce of Springfield; by her sisters-in-law: Debbie Pulley of Springfield and Jackie Pulley of Jacksonville, FL; by her grandchildren: Aaron (Taylor) Shelton of Greenbrier, MacKenzie (Brixton) Adkerson of Springfield, Elijah (Hope Tinsley, fiance) Shelton of Pleasant View, Morgan (Jackson) Mapes of Greenbrier, and Isaac Shelton of Cedar Hill; by her step grandchildren: Justin and Jenna Smith; by her great-grandchildren: Easton Shelton and the soon-to-be-born: Brooks Adkerson; by several nieces, nephews, and by life-long friend: Marion Jane Richardson; as well as many more precious friends like family.

Donna was most affectionately known as "Ma." Her first grandson, Aaron, gave her this name when she was 45 years old. "Ma" always thought the name made her sound "like a 90-year-old grandma with no teeth!" She proudly wore the name anyway and everyone could see that being a grandmother fulfilled her. Donna allowed the grandchildren to do anything and everything fun…crafts, cards, blocks, games, puzzles, sports, finger painting, Legos, sleepovers, movies, books, she had an imagination like no one else! If we had written down all the stories and games she could create, we would be millionaires, instead, we simply treasure all of these priceless memories.

Donna's favorite color was pink – she loved anything pink. She also loved flowers, of every kind, and could grow about anything. She was always cooking and cooking well. No visit was complete to Ma's house without being offered something to eat before you left. More often than not, it was something sweet, even though she couldn't eat it herself as a diabetic. She loved for everyone to squeeze around the dining room table for as long as possible until the family simply overflowed the room. Even then, she still wanted everyone to just be there together, and as often as possible.

If you ever received a gift from Donna, it would be wrapped like a show piece. She liked making homemade cards, decorating for every occasion, autumn weather, going to the mountains, and Christmas. She would have kept her Christmas tree out all year round, if given the choice. Donna always worried about how things looked, in spite of having lost vision completely in one eye and barely being able to see out of the other. She enjoyed playing cards, working puzzles, reading books that "no one else would like", and watching old movies. Donna fully embraced the crazy antics of her children and grandchildren and would laugh along even when they picked on her. There are stories of her mowing the front porch and launching pancakes across the room!

Donna was an amazing Bible teacher. For many years she spent countless hours each week in research, study, and prayer before teaching a lesson at church. She served at Barren Plains Baptist Church for most of her adult life. Later on, in spite of her declining health and losing the ability to drive, she was still a valiant prayer warrior and trusted confidant to many. She would listen well, then intercede, and offer wise advice if asked. She loved God, loved Jesus, and she always loved others well. Although she will be missed on this earth, she would want each one reading this to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and look forward to seeing her again in Heaven one day. We trust she is rejoicing in her reconciliation with loved ones that have gone on before, and that she will be watching over us in that "great cloud of witnesses" until we see her again.

A Celebration of Donna's life will be held on Friday, July 11th at 3:00 p.m., at Barren Plains Baptist Church with Pastor Adam Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends at Barren Plains Baptist Church from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

If so desired, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to My Father's House or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Donna's memory.